The primary security risk is that the configuration removes the password requirement for sudo, weakening authentication for privileged access. The directive `!authenticate` in the sudoers file explicitly bypasses the password check for members of the admin group, meaning anyone in that group can execute any command with root privileges without re-entering their credentials. This directly violates the principle of least privilege and undermines a fundamental authentication control, as a single compromised admin account grants unfettered system access. On the ISC2 Certified in Cybersecurity CC exam, this scenario tests your understanding of access control mechanisms and common misconfigurations that create vulnerabilities. A frequent trap is confusing the scope—this does not apply to all users, only the admin group—so always check the user or group specification in the rule. Memory tip: think of “no auth” as “no barrier”—if sudo doesn’t ask for a password, the only thing standing between an attacker and root is a single account takeover.
ISC2 CC Security Principles Practice Question
This CC practice question tests your understanding of security principles. This is a configuration task: choose the command set that satisfies every stated requirement. Small differences — like 'secret' vs 'password' or 'transport input ssh' vs 'all' — change whether the answer is correct. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.
Exhibit
Refer to the exhibit.
```
$ cat /etc/sudoers.d/admin
%admin ALL=(ALL) ALL
Defaults:admin !authenticate
```
A system administrator configured the sudoers file as shown. What is the primary security risk of this configuration?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "primary"
Why it matters: Asks for the main purpose or function, not a secondary benefit. Eliminate answers that describe side-effects or partial functions.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
It removes the password requirement for sudo, weakening authentication for privileged access
Option D is correct because '!authenticate' removes the password requirement for the admin group, which violates the principle of least privilege and authentication. It does not grant passwordless sudo for all users (A) — only the admin group. (B) is a risk, but not as severe as no password. (C) is not implied by the config. The main risk is bypassing authentication.
Key principle: Authentication proves identity; authorization controls what that identity can do after login. Both must work for full privileged access.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
✗
It enables privilege escalation for all users on the system
Why it's wrong here
Only members of the admin group are affected, not all users.
✗
It logs all commands run by admin users, creating a privacy risk
Why it's wrong here
The config does not enable logging; it disables authentication.
✓
It removes the password requirement for sudo, weakening authentication for privileged access
Why this is correct
The Defaults directive disables authentication, so any admin user can execute commands as root without a password.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "primary" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Authentication checks who the user is.
✗
It allows any user in the admin group to run commands as any user without a password
Why it's wrong here
It allows any command as root, but only for admin group members, not any user.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: authentication is not authorization
Logging in proves the user can authenticate. It does not automatically mean the user is allowed to enter privileged or configuration mode. Watch for AAA authorization, privilege level and command authorization details.
Trap categories for this question
Command / output trap
It allows any command as root, but only for admin group members, not any user.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
This kind of question is testing the difference between identity and permission. A user may successfully log in to a router because authentication is working, but still fail to enter configuration mode because authorization is missing, misconfigured or mapped to a lower privilege level.
KKey Concepts to Remember
Authentication checks who the user is.
Authorization controls what the user is allowed to do after login.
Privilege levels affect access to EXEC and configuration commands.
AAA, TACACS+ and RADIUS can separate login success from command access.
TExam Day Tips
→Do not assume successful login means full administrative access.
→Look for words such as cannot enter configuration mode, privilege level, authorization or command access.
→Separate login problems from permission problems before choosing the answer.
Key takeaway
Authentication proves identity; authorization controls what that identity can do after login. Both must work for full privileged access.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A security analyst at a medium-sized enterprise encounters this scenario during an investigation or architecture review. The correct answer reflects best practice for the specific threat or control described. Authentication proves identity; authorization controls what that identity can do after login. Both must work for full privileged access. Security exam questions test whether you can match controls to threats in context — not just recall definitions.
Related glossary terms
Concepts from this question explained
These glossary pages explain the core terms tested in this CC question in full detail.
Review Cisco AAA concepts — authentication, authorization, and accounting. Study privilege levels (0–15), command authorization under TACACS+, and how RADIUS differs. Then practise related CC questions on access control and AAA configuration.
Security Principles — This question tests Security Principles — Authentication checks who the user is..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: It removes the password requirement for sudo, weakening authentication for privileged access — Option D is correct because '!authenticate' removes the password requirement for the admin group, which violates the principle of least privilege and authentication. It does not grant passwordless sudo for all users (A) — only the admin group. (B) is a risk, but not as severe as no password. (C) is not implied by the config. The main risk is bypassing authentication.
What should I do if I get this CC question wrong?
Review Cisco AAA concepts — authentication, authorization, and accounting. Study privilege levels (0–15), command authorization under TACACS+, and how RADIUS differs. Then practise related CC questions on access control and AAA configuration.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "primary". Asks for the main purpose or function, not a secondary benefit. Eliminate answers that describe side-effects or partial functions.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Authentication checks who the user is.
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